Hi from the burnout bunker!

I’m Radgie—writer, storyteller, systems enthusiast, and currently operating at about 40% battery, mostly thanks to peach iced tea, poetry drafts, and the occasional existential crisis.

I was diagnosed autistic in adulthood (at 46 just three months ago), which explained a lot: my love of structure, my aversion to fluorescent lighting, and my tendency to treat small talk like a boss fight.

Until recently, I was an assistant manager at an autism specialist college—a role I cared deeply about, but one that eventually asked more than I could sustainably give. I’ve stepped down to a tutor role to protect my regulation and wellbeing, but I’ll be honest: I’m still deep in the burnout woods, trying to navigate with a compass made of metaphors and caffeine.

I’m here to reconnect with the parts of myself that don’t revolve around crisis management or masking. I love creative writing (especially poetry and sensory-rich fiction), vocal storytelling, and building low-pressure, neurodivergent-friendly routines. I’m also slowly working on a portfolio site and a storytelling channel—gently, at my own pace, and with full permission to pause.

If you’re navigating burnout, late diagnosis, or want to chat about writing, advocacy, or the strange comfort of existential humour, I’d love to connect.

I’m not always quick to reply (executive function is a fickle beast), but I’m always glad to be here.

  • Welcome, ! It brings a tear to my eye to see another em dash enthusiast—there are so few of us left.

    A lot of us on here are also late-diagnosed and in burnout (or recovering). We dip in and out as the mood takes us—there's no pressure to perform on this stage.

    I look forward to your company.

  • You've come to the right place.  The coms system works pretty well between here and the bunker!  

    I enjoy comedy.

    Here's some that came to mind in response to your post:  Steve Martin's character in "The man With 2 brains":

    Dolores:
    The Complete Poems of John Lillison, England's greatest one-armed poet.

    Dr. Michael Hfuhruhurr:
    He wrote 'In Dillan's Grove' and 'Pointy Birds.' O pointy birds, o pointy pointy, anoint my head, anointy-nointy.

    Share some yours? :-)